Warning signal



Sept. 8, 1936. I Q MOORE 2,053,999

WARNING S IGNAL Filed July 28, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l I, I 6 I A rill/I, AV/ V/III/I/ /[V @1 5 Z5 Z5 Z7 33 J6 6 I Q fie/yoore E INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1936. Q G, M E 2,053,999'

' WARNING SIGNAL Filed July 28, 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C7. Gfflfivore INVENTOR BY wa m ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARNING SIGNAL Onon G. Moore, Detroit, Mich.

Application July 28, 1933, Serial No. 682,697

Claims.

This invention relates to traflic signals of that type which embody a display member mounted in a support which is embedded in a roadway and which display member is normally disposed above 5 the roadway but will yield to a vehicle passing over the same so that the traffic will not be permanently interrupted.

The invention seeks to provide a device for the stated purpose which will operate efliciently at all times and which will not be apt to get out of order.

Other objects will appear incidentally in the course of the following description and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a signal embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section showing the display member in the position assumed when a vehicle is passing thereover.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with the display member raised.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through one side of the signal on the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a front elevation showing the display member in raised position.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the same.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a U-shaped frame I formed by bending or casting achannel bar into the proper shape and this frame is buried in theroadway with its upper side flush with the surface of the roadway. Disposed between the sides of the frame I is a supplemental frame consisting of side members 2 and a cross member 3, the side members being disposed adjacent the side members of the outer frame I and being buried in the ground, as will be understood. Mounted between the sides 2 of the inner frame and the sides of the main outer frame are arms 4 which are each pivoted at one end to the frame members I and 2, as will be understood upon reference to Figure 1. The forward ends of these arms 4 are secured to and carry the display member which is a substantially elliptical body disposed between the shoulderor cross member of the main frame and the cross bar 3 of the inner frame. The display member may be a casting and embodies a tread plate 5, the upper surface of which is corrugated or ribbed so that vehicle wheels rolling over the plate will not be caused to skid. Suitable reinforcing ribs and supporting lugs are formed on the under side of the tread plate, such ribs being shown at 6, and around the ends and one side of the plate is formed a depending wall or flange I which will further reinforce the structure.

The forward flange is of somewhat less depth than the rear flange and a sign plate 8 is removably secured at its ends against the front flange.

the plate.

The bolts II, engaged in the, lugs 9 and I0, facilitate the removal of the plateand the substitution of another plate.

As shown most clearly in Figure 6, the word Stop is displayed on the sign plate 8 and normally the signal member is in the position shown in Figures 6 and 7 so that the word Stop will be displayed facing oncoming vehicles.

While the word Stop has been selected for illustration, it is to be understood anyother words or characters may be employed. To obtain the greatest possible visibility of the announcement, the letters I2 of the warning word are raised above the surface of the plate and beads or pieces of colored glass are set in the surfaces of the letters.

The

letters are also given a color contrasting with the surface of the sign plate and the glass beads will reflect light from the headlights of oncoming automobiles so that the signal will be visible at night as Well as in daytime. It will be understood that the signal is set in the roadway adjacent an intersection and so arranged that the signal faces oncoming traflic, it being intended that when the roadway is wide enough to accommodate two or more lanes of traflic, a signal will be placed at each side of the road facing the right-hand Extending from the cross bar 3 of the inner frame is a cylinder I3 which is buried in the roadbed and is preferably covered with concrete, it being generally desirable to have a concrete bed around the entire signal and between the side members of the frame so that the signal cannot be easily moved but will always be in the proper position. Within the cylinder I3 is housed an expansion spring I4, one end of which abuts the closed end of the cylinder and the opposite end of which bears against a piston or plunger head I5, a. rod I6 extending from said head I5 through Pivotally mounted within the chamber defined by the outer frame and the cross bar 3 of the inner frame is a bell crank I8, one arm of which bears against the free end of the plunger rod l6, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4. The opposite end of the bell crank bears against a wear plate or block l9 which is secured to the lower edge of one of the cross braces 6 of the display member and it will now be readily understood that the spring |4 tends constantly to expand and press the plunger forwardly, as shown in Figure 4. .The pressure exerted through the rod IE will act upon the bell crank l8 to rock the same and the bell crank will thereby be caused to swing the display member upwardly so that the sign plate'or warning will appear above the surface of the roadway, this being the position illustrated in Figure 4. The pivot or fulcrum 20 of the bell crank is mounted in brackets or lugs 2| which are formed upon the cross bar 3 and a base flange 22 extending from said cross bar, as will be understood upon reference to Figure 4, the lugs and the fulcrum being disposed below the rear flange of the display member so that there will be no interference between these parts. The flange 22 rests upon a bed plate 23 which is buried in the ground or concrete foundation and forms a part of a cross brace 24 which is preferably of channel form so as to obtain the greatest strength possible with a given weight. The bed plate 25 is disposed under the cross member of the main frame and extends inwardly therefrom and carries an upstanding branch or post 26 to which in spaced relation is secured a keeper and guide plate 21 whereby a stop member 28 is held to the post or standard 26 The stop plate 28 is formed with a vertically extending slot 29 through which the pin or rivet 30, connecting the post 26 and the keeper plate 21, passes and the upper end of the stop plate is turned rearwardly to provide a check 3|, as shown. This stop plate limits the upward movement of the display member as will presently more fully appear.

Upon the upper side of the cross brace 24 are two or more cups or sockets 32 in which are placed blocks of rubber 33 which form buffers to cushion the downward movement of the display member, as will be understood, these buffers being disposed in such a position as to receive the impact of the bracing members 6 of the display member when the latter is pressed downwardly by a passing vehicle.

Mounted rotatably in the main cross brace 6 of the display member and at the center of said brace, is a rock shaft 34, said shaft being also journaled in a lug 35 provided therefor on the tread member, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4. Formed with or rigidly secured to the forward end of the shaft 34 is a hanger 36 which normally depends therefrom and has its lower end formed into a forwardly projecting toe 31 which extends under the check 3| on the stop plate 28,

'a block of rubber 38 being secured upon the toe 31 and adapted to be brought against the under side of the check 3| when the display member is in its upper position. A torsion spring 39 is disposed about a sleeve 40 which is pinned upon the shaft 34, between the brace 6 and the lug 35, and said spring tends constantly to maintain the toe 31 in position beneath the check 3|. The sleeve 40 is constructed with a lateral arm 4| and one end of the spring is engaged with this arm, while the other end may be attached to the tread member 5 or to some other relatively fixed part; The rear end of the shaft 34 is provided with an extension 42 of non-circular form whereby it may be engaged by a turning tool and an opening 43 is formed in the rear wall or flange of the tread member in alignment with the shaft to permit the insertion of a turning tool when necessary.

The bed plate 25 terminates short of the cross brace 24, whereby an opening 44 is provided for the escape of any moisture which may tend to collect within the chamber which receives the display member.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a very compact mechanism whereby a warning signal will be displayed above the surface of a roadbed in the path of oncoming traflic but when a vehicle approaches from an opposite direction, the display member may be easily lowered and yield to the impact of the wheel so that it will not be damaged but will instantly resume its display position when the wheel has passed. Vehicles are not always driven in an absolutely straight line, and when a vehicle swerves for any reason the wheels may pass over the signal without causing any damage thereto. Normally, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4 but when a wheel passes over the tread plate the display member will be pressed down into the position shown in Figure 2 and housed within the chamber defined by the forward portion of the outer frame I and the cross bar 3 of. the inner frame, the downward movement of the display member rocking the bell crank l8 so that the plunger l5 will be forced rearwardly in the cylinder |3 and the expansion spring l4 compressed. The instant the display member is relieved of the weight imposed thereon, the spring M will expand and return the parts to their normal position. When the display member is lowered the toe 31 and the buffer 38 carried thereby will be moved downwardly relative to the check 3| and the check 3| and the stop plate 28 will move downwardly between the post 26 and the keeper 21 through the force of gravity and consequently will not interfere at all with the downward movement of the tread member. Upon return movement of the display member the hanger 36, with the toe 31, will, of course, be swung upwardly and the buffer 38 will be again brought against the check 3| so that the check and the stop plate 28 will be raised, as shown in Figure 4, the lower end of the slot 29 being thus brought against the pin or rivet 30 so that the upward movement will be limited.

It may be necessary at times to renew the.

buffer block 38 or the bumpers or for some other reason it may be desired to gain access to the interior of: the display member. At such time a key is inserted through the opening 43 and engaged with the shaft 34 so as to rock said shaft and thereby swing the buffer 31 out of alignment with the check 3|, whereupon the display member may be raised to such an extent that its interior will be made accessible to an operator. On such extended movement the display member will swing about the pivots 45, connecting the arms 4 to the frame, and the bell crank |8 will be left within the chamber which normally receives the display member, excessive forward movement of the plunger being prevented by the plunger impinging against the lower portion of the cross plate 3.

The apparatus is very compact, composed of the fewest parts consistent with efficient operation and is not apt to get out of order.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A signal of. the type described comprising a frame to be embedded in a roadbed and defining a working chamber, a display member pivotally mounted within the frame and receivable within the working chamber, yieldable means acting on the display member to normally hold it in position above the surface of a roadbed, means to limit the upward movement of the display member, and means for rendering the latter-mentioned means inoperative.

2. A trafiic signal comprising a frame to be embedded in a roadbed and containing a working chamber with side spaces leading therefrom, arms pivoted within said side spaces, a display member secured to and between the free ends of said arms and receivable within said working chamber, yieldable means normally holding the display member in position above the roadbed, means for limiting the upward movement of the display member, and means whereby said limiting means may be rendered inoperative.

3. A trafiic signal comprising a frame to be embedded in a roadway, a cylinder on said frame and buried below the surface of the roadway, a display member pivotally mounted to be received in the frame or to extend therefrom above the surface of the roadway, a spring-pressed plunger working in the cylinder, a bell crank mounted within the frame and engaged with the plunger and with the display member whereby the display member will be normally yieldably held in display position, and means for restraining the upward movement of the display member.

4. A traffic signal comprising a frame to be buried in a roadway and having a working chamber, a pivotally mounted display member receivable in said working chamber, yieldable means acting on said display member to hold it normally above the surface of the roadway, a check within the working chamber, a bufler on the display member arranged to impinge against the check upon upward movement of the display member whereby to limit said movement, and means yieldably holding the buffer in the plane of the stock.

5. A trafiic signal comprising a frame to be embedded within the surface of a roadway and having a working chamber, a pivotally mounted display member receivable in said working chamber, yieldable means acting on said display member to hold it normally in position above the surface of a roadway, a vertically slidable stop mounted in the working chamber, means for limiting the upward movement of said stop, and a buffer carried by the display member and adapted to impinge against said stop whereby to limit the upward movement of the display member.

6. A traffic signal comprising a frame to be embedded in the surface of a roadway, a pivotally mounted display member receivable within the working chamber of said frame, a yieldable means normally holding the display member raised above the surface of the roadway, a stop within the working chamber of the frame, a buffer carried by the display member to engage said stop for limiting the upward movement of the display member, said buffer being mounted for lateral movement whereby it may be moved out of engagement with the stop, and means yieldably holding the buffer in the plane of the stop.

'7. A traffic signal comprising a frame to be buried in the surface of a roadway and having a working chamber, a pivotally mounted display member receivable within the working chamber, yieldable means normally holding the display member above the surface of the roadway, a stop within the working chamber of the frame, a rock shaft mounted in the display member, a hanger on the inner end of said rock shaft, a buffer on said hanger adapted to engage the stop, and yieldable means for holding the rock shaft normally in position to effect engagement of the buffer with the stop, the rock shaft being constructed to be engaged by a turning implement.

8. A signal of the type described comprising a frame to be embedded in a roadbed and defining a working chamber, a display member pivotally mounted within the frame and receivable within the working chamber and having removable signal characters each provided with openings, raised light reflecting elements mounted in the openings, spaced ribs on the display member, yieldable means acting on the display member to normally hold it in position above the surface of a roadbed, means to limit the upward movement of the display member, and spaced bumpers within the frame and with which the ribs engage for cushioning the downward movement of the display member.

9. A signal of the type described comprising a frame to be embedded in a roadbed and defining a working chamber, a display member pivotally mounted within the frame and receivable within the working chamber and having signal characters each provided with openings, light reflecting elements mounted in the openings, a cross brace embedded in the roadbed, yieldable means acting on the display member to normally hold it in position above the surface of a roadbed, means to limit the upward movement of the display member, and spaced bumpers disposed upon the said cross brace for limiting the downward movement of the display member.

10. A trafiic signal comprising a frame to be embedded in a roadway, a cylinder on said frame and buried below the surface of the roadway, a display member pivotally mounted to be received in the frame or to. extend therefrom above the surface of the roadway, a spring-pressed plunger Working in the cylinder, a bell crank mounted within the frame and engaged with the plunger and with the display member whereby the display member will be normally yieldably held in display position, means for restraining the upward movement of the display member, and bumpers in the frame for limiting the downward movement of the display member.

ONON G. MOORE. 

